2023-08-18 13:38:23
When looking at the differences between American cars and European cars, there is a lot to consider. From size to handling, drivetrain type, and uniform appearance, you’ll find clear differences across the board.
There are even cultural differences. Americans tend to see their cars as an extension of themselves and as status definers. By contrast, Europeans are much more practical and see them as a way to get from point A to point B.
This and several other factors contribute to the many obvious differences between cars. Let’s dig in to find out what these are so you can be prepared for your trip.
An example, which happens in European cities, the streets of Paris are much more windy and narrow. Driving through Paris in a very large car is much more difficult than driving through Los Angeles.
European cities are made for people who get around on foot, on bicycles or on buses and trams. Cities in the US are made for cars.
distances
In Europe, we are much less likely to travel a very long distance. In the US, you can drive tens or even hundreds of miles before you reach a city or at least a town. In Europe you usually cross or at least skirt an inhabited area every 5-10 km at least.
fuel prices
Currently in Italy a liter of gasoline costs around 1.80 euros per liter, in the United States a gallon costs 3.4 dollars (both are averages).
That equates to around $1 or 0.95 euros per liter of gasoline. (If you prefer, a gallon of gas in Italy costs regarding $7.30.) A smaller, lighter car is more efficient and doesn’t use as much fuel.
Security
Cars in the US are made for the maximum safety of the driver and people on board, cars in Europe are made for the safety of both the driver and people outside the car.
A smaller and lighter car (at the same speed) is less likely to kill a person on a bike.
American vs European cars: The bigger, the better?
Everybody knows that American cars are huge. In fact, everything in America is bigger, right? From restaurant portions to home sizes, people in the US live large.
Even gas-guzzling SUVs give the impression of being bigger than life-saving tanks, especially when compared to European vehicles.
A typical car manufacturer in Europe, by contrast, makes more compact cars. It’s no surprise that the continent that invented miniature smart cars has smaller vehicles overall.
There just isn’t that much space in European cities, and the cars you see are a reflection of that. From parking to street size, everything is limited.
That’s because many cities in Europe developed before modern urban planning existed. Anyone who has walked the winding streets of Rome, Paris or Prague knows that creating a grid of big, spacious boulevards was the last thing on their mind.
North American cities, on the other hand, are pretty new, at least by European standards. The streets are wider, the roads and highways are larger, and many people need a vehicle to get around. The Icelandic Ring Road is also a wide and pleasant thoroughfare.
American and European automakers adapt to the needs and desires of the customers they build for. They just do it in different ways. That’s why when renting a car in a foreign country, you should always check the different sizes of rental cars available and make sure you understand what the industry jargon indicates.
The Ultimate Point of Conflict Between the American Car and the European Car: Manual or Stick Shift
Whether you drive a minivan or an SUV, this is one of the big differences and the one that will affect you the most when driving cars in Europe. If you don’t know how to drive a stick shifter, you’re basically dead in the water.
You will find some European cars with automatic transmissions, but they are a special request and are the exception rather than the rule. This adds a layer of complexity because stick driving is either something you know or you don’t know.
Americans are lucky that driving cars in their country is relatively easy. Automatic transmissions are much more common and almost all cars have them. Just start the car and go forward, brake or reverse. All you need to focus on is steering and not having an accident.
There’s no waiting for that telltale shudder that comes from a manual transmission approaching the need to shift into the next gear. It also doesn’t have the tricky aspects of pushing down or releasing the clutch as you ease off the throttle.
Driving a manual car is much simpler and almost anyone can do it, as it requires much less coordination. Not to mention, you don’t risk getting stuck if you do things incorrectly.
Of course, the Europeans will insist that stick driving is really easy once you learn how to do it. Some even prefer manual transmissions over automatic transmissions.
They say they can “feel” the engine and have more control. But because that’s probably because it’s how they learned to drive and what they learned first; no wonder it seems easy. Conversely, if you learned to drive using automatic drive, making the change to a stick shift transmission can be intimidating or even impossible.
European vehicles: built to last
Mercedes Benz and other German car manufacturers are known for their high-quality vehicles that are more expensive. Common knowledge says you’ll pay more up front, but over the life of the car you’ll make fewer trips to the mechanic. They also tend to last longer overall. Foreign cars like Japanese cars are also made to last a long time.
American cars tend to be less expensive but supposedly have more problems and will die sooner. Of course, these are all sweeping generalizations, but they are the stereotypes that have sprung up around American cars versus European cars.
It is true that a BMW or Peugeot does not seat as many passengers as a GM or Ford model. But generally, the former can claim victory by giving more years of service. He just remembers that they need proper maintenance.
American vs European cars: look and feel
When looking at American vs. European cars, there is definitely a difference in aesthetics. European design tends to be sleeker and more elegant, while American cars are expected to look more rugged and utilitarian.
The sophisticated look preferred in all respects by Europeans is manifested in their cars.
Vehicle styling and construction differ between North America and the mainland due to trade-offs between aesthetics and function.
Due to cultural aspects, a European car manufacturer will take pride in its appearance. An American automobile manufacturer is influenced by other factors.
They are less interested in looking cool and classy and more interested in making a car that works at a lower price. Germany is known for its superiority in quality car engineering, and it’s true that you get what you pay for.
European cars have very nice interiors and expertly designed exteriors. Companies like Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and more make truly beautiful cars.
There is a wide range here, however. Italy makes more extravagant designs. This is unlike practical German cars, where form follows function.
Autos americanos: Need for Speed
The land of Fast and the Furious is also home to some of the fastest cars in the world. In keeping with the “bigger is better, work hard or go home” mentality, US companies like Chevrolet, Ford and Hennessey will outperform all their counterparts on other coasts.
But that doesn’t mean they are leaving the Europeans completely in the dust. Germany has its autobahn, the world famous highway with no speed limit.
As a result, many German cars intended for everyday use can accelerate faster overall. Speed limit laws in some European countries tend to be more flexible than in the US Therefore, US car manufacturers must take into account the lower speed laws.
American Cars vs. European Cars: Conclusion
When looking at the difference between American and European cars, there is actually a lot of variation. This is surprising for something that at first glance should be fundamentally the same: a car. But there are marked differences.
In Europe, you tend to find more compact cars with better fuel efficiency and a sleeker design. In the Battle of the Continents, neither is necessarily better or worse, there is only a difference in preference.
But it’s good to know the differences between American cars and European cars when you’re traveling abroad.
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